Magnetic photo display assembly

ABSTRACT

A magnetic picture display assembly including a base and a first frame including a frame portion having an inner perimeter and a window defined by the inner perimeter, and at least a first wire stand extending through the frame portion and having a first end having an upper magnet extending upwardly and a second end having a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein the lower magnet is magnetically securable to the base, and the at least first wire stand is arranged to support the first frame in an upright position when the lower magnet is magnetically secured to the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to devices for displaying pictures,photographs and the like, more particularly to such devices comprisingan assembly of magnetically stackable frames.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for holding and displaying a plurality of pictorial items, suchas photographs and pictures, are well known. Generally, such a devicemay be embodied as a frame having a plurality of windows arranged in aplane, wherein each window is arranged to display a picture from asingle viewing side.

Alternatively, such a device may comprise a plurality of frames, whereineach frame fixedly is secured to another frame and includes a windowarranged to display a picture from a single viewing side. Frames of thistype often display pictures in a single plane, although some frames ofthis type include a hinge arranged to allow the frames to pivot intomore than one plane.

One problem with these prior frames is that the angles at which theframes may be displayed are limited. Another problem with these priorframes is that, since the frames are inseparable from each other, a useris forced to manipulate the entire device in order to change even asingle picture displayed therein. A further problem with these devicesis that they generally only have a single viewing side.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is a magnetic picture display assemblycomprising: a base; and, a first frame comprising: a frame portionhaving an inner perimeter and a window defined by the inner perimeter;and, at least a first wire stand extending through the frame portion andhaving a first end comprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and asecond end comprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein thelower magnet is magnetically securable to the base, and the at leastfirst wire stand is arranged to support the first frame in an uprightposition when the lower magnet is magnetically secured to the base.

In one embodiment, the first frame further comprises a second wire standextending through the frame portion and having a first end comprising anupper magnet extending upwardly and a second end comprising a lowermagnet extending downwardly, wherein the lower magnet of the second wirestand is magnetically securable to the base, and the second wire standis arranged to support the first frame in an upright position when thelower magnet of the second wire stand is magnetically secured to thebase.

In another embodiment the magnetic photo display assembly furthercomprises a second frame comprising: a frame portion having an innerperimeter and a window defined by the inner perimeter of the frameportion of the second frame; and, at least a first wire stand extendingthrough the frame portion of the second frame and having a first endcomprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and a second endcomprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein the lower magnetof the at least first wire stand of the second frame is magneticallysecurable to the base, the at least first wire stand of the second frameis arranged to support the second frame in an upright position when thelower magnet of the at least first wire stand of the second frame ismagnetically secured to the base, and the second frame is adapted todisplay a substantially planar item in the window of the second frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the second frame is stackable upon the firstframe by magnetically securing the lower magnet of the at least firstwire stand of the second frame to the upper magnet of the at least firstwire stand of the first frame.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a photo displaydevice having a plurality of frames which may be arranged in an infinitenumber of viewing angles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photo displaydevice having a plurality of frames which may be stacked upon oneanother in an infinite number of arrangements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame which isarranged to display pictures on opposite sides on the frame, andincludes a means for easily inserting such pictures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a frame which isadapted to magnetically couple to a base and/or magnetically stack uponanother frame.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciable from the following description of preferredembodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now bemore fully described in the following detailed description of theinvention taken with the accompanying drawing figures of at least oneexemplary embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the magnetic photodisplay assembly comprising a plurality of frames and a base;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the magnetic photo displayassembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a first frame of the plurality offrames;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first frame;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area 5 shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second panel of the first frame; and,

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the second panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the invention. While the present invention isdescribed with respect to what is presently considered to be thepreferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimedis not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular methodology, materials and modifications described and assuch may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only,and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, whichis limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated thatthe term “frame” refers to a substantially rigid structure which definesat least one window and is operatively arranged to hold and display asubstantially planar object, such as a photograph or other pictorialitem, in the at least one window.

It should also be appreciated that since each frame of the plurality offrames of the present invention is arranged to display pictures in twowindows arranged opposite each other, and since the plurality of framesmay be stacked and arranged in an infinite number of positions, theterms “front”, “back”, “left”, and “right”, when used herein, arerelative terms meant to refer to the viewing perspective shown in thefigures.

Although many methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent tothose described herein can be used in the practice or testing of theinvention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are nowdescribed.

Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1 and show an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention magnetic photo display assembly, hereinafterreferred to as assembly 10. Assembly 10 comprises a plurality of frames,namely, first frame 100, second frame 200, third frame 300, fourth frame400, and fifth frame 500. Each frame is adapted to hold and display asubstantially planar item in its window, such as the picture of thewoman shown displayed in each of the windows in FIGS. 1 and 2. Assembly10 may also comprise base 80. It should be appreciated that theplurality of frames and base shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are meant toillustrate a manner in which the frames of the present invention may bestacked and magnetically coupled to each other and/or the base fordisplaying pictures.

It should also be appreciated that the present invention may comprise asingle frame, for example, any one of frames 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500,as these frames comprise substantially the same elements and differprimarily with respect to dimensions, such as, height and width.Accordingly, the following description focuses primarily on first frame100, and its description should be presumed to be applicable to second,third, fourth, and fifth frames, 200, 300, 400, and 500, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, first frame 100 comprises frame portion 110,right wire stand 140, and left wire stand 160. In this embodiment, framepotion 110 includes first panel 120 and second panel 130, wherein firstpanel 120 and second panel are removably securable to each other.

Second panel 130 comprises outer perimeter 134, inner perimeter 132,which defines window 112, front surface 131B, and back surface 131A.Front surface 131B comprises internal frame 136, which has an open top,and lip 139 arranged substantially around internal frame 136, preferablyproximate outer perimeter 134. Front surface 131B also comprises firstright recess 133A, second right recess 135A, and third right recess137A, which together partially form a channel arranged to secure aportion of right wire stand 140 therein, as described in further detailbelow. Front surface 131B also comprises first left recess 133B, secondleft recess 135B, and third left recess 137B, which together partiallyform a channel arranged to secure a portion of left wire stand 160therein, as described in further detail below.

First panel 120 comprises outer perimeter 124, inner perimeter 122,which defines window 111, front surface 121A, and back surface 121B.Back surface 121B comprises an internal frame (not shown), which issimilar and complimentary to internal frame 136 of second panel 130, anda lip 129, which is similar and complimentary to lip 139 and arrangedsubstantially around its internal frame, preferably proximate outerperimeter 124.

Back surface 121B also comprises first right recess 123A, second rightrecess 135A, and a third right recess (not shown) similar andcomplimentary to third right recess 137A, which together partially forma channel arranged to secure a portion of right wire stand 140 therein,as described in further detail below. Back surface 121B also comprisesfirst left recess 123B, second left recess 125B, and a third left recess(not shown) similar and complimentary to third left recess 137B, whichtogether partially form a channel arranged to secure a portion of leftwire stand 160 therein, as described in further detail below.

First panel 120 and second panel 130 are removably securable to eachother by means of a frictional and/or mechanical engagement between lip129 and lip 139. When first panel and second panels, 120 and 130, areremovably secured to each other, internal frame 136 and the internalframe of first panel 120 form slot 115 into which one or moresubstantially planar items, such as photographs, may be inserted forviewing in window 111 and/or 112. In one aspect of the invention, whenfirst and second panels, 120 and 130, are secured to each other, innerperimeters 111 and 112 form a substantially integral inner perimeterdefining a window adapted to be viewed from opposite sides of the frame.

Frame 100 may further comprise an insert which includes first pane 105and second pane 106, preferably connected to each other by means ofresting surface 107. First and second panes, 105 and 106, each comprisea substantially transparent material, such as plastic or glass. Theinsert is arranged such that a user may place one or more substantiallyplanar objects, such as photographs, between first and second panes, 105and 106. Slot 115 is adapted to receive the insert and display any itemssecured therein in windows 111 and 112.

Additionally, when first panel and second panels, 120 and 130, areremovably secured to each other, first right recess 133A is arrangedacross from first right recess 123A and form an aperture in frameportion 110, second right recess 135A is arranged across from secondright recess 125A and form an aperture in frame portion 110, and thirdright recess 137A is arranged across from the third right recess offirst panel 120, and together such recess are arranged to form achannel, in which a portion of right wire stand 140 may be secured.

Similarly, when first panel and second panels, 120 and 130, areremovably secured to each other, first left right recess 133B isarranged across from first right recess 123B and form an aperture inframe portion 110, second right recess 135B is arranged across fromsecond right recess 125B and form an aperture in frame portion 110, andthird right recess 137B is arranged across from the third right recessof first panel 120, and together such recess are arranged to form achannel, in which a portion of left wire stand 160 may be secured.

Right wire stand 140 includes first end 141, which comprises uppermagnet 142 having top surface 142A, and second end 143, which compriseslower magnet 144 having bottom surface 144A. Right wire stand 140 isadapted to extend through the aforementioned channel formed by recesses133A, 135A, and 137A of second panel 130 and recesses 123A, 125A, andthe third right recess of first panel 120, such that top surface 142A isarranged facing upwardly and bottom surface 144A is arranged facingdownwardly.

Left wire stand 160 includes first end 161, which comprises upper magnet162 having top surface 162A, and second end 163, which comprises lowermagnet 164 having bottom surface 164A. Left wire stand 160 is adapted toextend through the aforementioned channel formed by recesses 133B, 135B,and 137B of second panel 130 and recesses 123B, 125B, and the third leftrecess of first panel 120, such that top surface 162A is arranged facingupwardly and bottom surface 164A is arranged facing downwardly.

Right an left wire stands, 140 and 160, are adapted to support frameportion 110 in an upright position, as shown in the figures, when firstpanel and second panels, 120 and 130, are removably secured to eachother and right an left wire stands, 140 and 160, are securedtherebetween. Accordingly, bottom surfaces 144A and 164A of lowermagnets 144 and 164, respectively, are preferably substantially planarso that they may rest upon on a substantially planar horizontal surface,such as a table top.

In a preferred embodiment, assembly 10 includes base 80 having topsurface 81 and bottom surface 82. Base 80 preferably comprises amagnetically attractable material, such as iron or an iron alloy.Accordingly, the frames of the present invention may be magneticallysecured to base 80. For example, first frame 100 may be placed is placedupon base 80 such that bottom surfaces 144A and 164A of magnets 144 and164, respectively, rest upon and are in contact with top surface 81,thereby magnetically securing lower magnets 144 and 164, and thereforefirst frame 100, to base 80.

As described above, each of the frames shown in the figures compriseessentially the same elements, i.e., each comprises a frame portionsimilar to frame portion 110, and right and left wire stands similar toright and left wire stands 140 and 160. Each frame's right wire standincludes upper and lower magnets similar to upper and lower magnets 142and 144, and each frame's left wire stand includes upper and lowermagnets similar to upper and lower magnets 162 and 164.

In particular: second frame 200 comprises a frame portion having atleast one window 211 and supported by right wire stand 240, having uppermagnet 242 and lower magnet 244, and left wire stand 260 having uppermagnet 262 and lower magnet 264; third frame 300 comprises a frameportion having at least one window 311 and supported by right wire stand340, having upper magnet 342 and lower magnet 344, and left wire stand360 having upper magnet 362 and lower magnet 364; fourth frame 400comprises a frame portion having at least one window 411 and supportedby right wire stand 440, having upper magnet 442 and lower magnet 444,and left wire stand 460 having upper magnet 462 and lower magnet 464;and, fifth frame 500 comprises a frame portion having at least onewindow 511 and supported by right wire stand 540, having upper magnet542 and lower magnet 544, and left wire stand 560 having upper magnet562 and lower magnet 564.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frames of the present invention areadapted to stack upon one another. In particular, each frame may bestacked upon one or two other frames by magnetically securing one lowermagnet of such frame upper magnets of the one or two other frames. Forexample, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower magnets of first frame 100, secondframe 200, and fourth frame 400 are resting upon and magneticallysecured to base 80. Additionally, lower magnet 564 of fifth frame 500 isresting upon and magnetically secured to upper magnet 242 of secondframe 200, and lower magnet 344 of third frame 300 is resting upon andmagnetically secured to upper magnet 262 of second frame 200.Accordingly, the magnets selected for the present invention wire standsshould of sufficient attractive strength to support the force the offsetweight of a supported frame. Moreover, the magnets should all bearranged in the same north-south orientation so that upper and lowermagnets are arranged to attract rather than repel each other.

It should be appreciated that the frames of the present invention may beof integral form, i.e., each may not comprise two panels. Additionally,each wire stand may comprise more than one component, e.g., each maycomprise a lower wire stand having a lower magnet and extendingdownwardly from the frame portion, and an upper wire stand having anupper magnet and extending upwardly from the frame portion. Moreover, ifmagnets of sufficient strength are used, each frame may comprise as fewas one lower wire stand and one upper wire stand.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention areefficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to theinvention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill inthe art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that theforegoing description is illustrative of the present invention andshould not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments ofthe present invention are possible without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

1. A magnetic photo display assembly comprising: a base; and, a firstframe comprising: a frame portion having an inner perimeter and a windowdefined by the inner perimeter; and, at least a first wire standextending through the frame portion and having a first end comprising anupper magnet extending upwardly and a second end comprising a lowermagnet extending downwardly, wherein the lower magnet is magneticallysecurable to the base, the at least first wire stand is arranged tosupport the first frame in an upright position when the lower magnet ismagnetically secured to the base, and the first frame is adapted todisplay a substantially planar item in the window.
 2. The magnetic photodisplay assembly recited in claim 1 wherein the first frame furthercomprises a second wire stand extending through the frame portion andhaving a first end comprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and asecond end comprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein thelower magnet of the second wire stand is magnetically securable to thebase, and the second wire stand is arranged to support the first framein an upright position when the lower magnet of the second wire stand ismagnetically secured to the base.
 3. The magnetic photo display assemblyrecited in claim 1 further comprising a second frame comprising: a frameportion having an inner perimeter and a window defined by the innerperimeter of the frame portion of the second frame; and, at least afirst wire stand extending through the frame portion of the second frameand having a first end comprising an upper magnet extending upwardly anda second end comprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein thelower magnet of the at least first wire stand of the second frame ismagnetically securable to the base, the at least first wire stand of thesecond frame is arranged to support the second frame in an uprightposition when the lower magnet of the at least first wire stand of thesecond frame is magnetically secured to the base, and the second frameis adapted to display a substantially planar item in the window of thesecond frame.
 4. The magnetic photo display device recited in claim 3wherein the second frame is stackable upon the first frame bymagnetically securing the lower magnet of the at least first wire standof the second frame to the upper magnet of the at least first wire standof the first frame.
 5. The magnetic photo display device recited inclaim 3 wherein the second frame further comprises a second wire standextending through the frame portion of the second frame and having afirst end comprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and a second endcomprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein the lower magnetof the second wire stand of the second frame is magnetically securableto the base, and the second wire stand of the second frame is arrangedto support the second frame in an upright position when the lower magnetof the second wire stand of the second frame is magnetically secured tothe base.
 6. The magnetic photo display device recited in claim 1wherein the first frame comprises a slot adapted to receive thesubstantially planar item therein for display in the window.
 7. Themagnetic photo display device recited in claim 1 wherein the window isadapted to display the substantially planar item on opposite sides ofthe first frame.
 8. A frame comprising: a frame portion having an innerperimeter and a window defined by the inner perimeter; a first wirestand extending through the frame portion and having a first endcomprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and a second endcomprising a lower magnet extending downwardly; and, a second first wirestand extending through the frame portion and having a first endcomprising an upper magnet extending upwardly and a second endcomprising a lower magnet extending downwardly, wherein the first wirestand and the second wire stand are adapted to support the frame in anupright position when the lower magnet of the first wire stand and thelower magnet of the second wire stand are resting on a substantiallyhorizontal surface, and the frame is adapted to display a substantiallyplanar item in the window.
 9. The frame recited in claim 8 furthercomprising a slot adapted to receive the substantially planar itemtherein for display in the window.
 10. The frame recited in claim 8wherein the window is adapted to display the substantially planar itemon opposite sides of the frame.